ANGRY residents are objecting to a businesses’ redevelopment plans following concerns the scheme will demolish part of a historic wall and ruin a quiet cul-de-sac.

TLS Solicitors in St Michael’s Road, Newquay, proposes to demolish its premises and construct a mix use building consisting of offices, nine residential units and parking.

However, people are opposing the scheme as it would involve knocking down part of the historic wall, which backs onto the public church footpath and the cul-de-sac of Ennors Road to create a new vehicle access connecting the solicitor’s car park to the road.

Residents in Ennors Road are also objecting arguing vehicles cutting across the footpath into the cul-de-sac would have a detrimental impact on the neighbourhood. They have also raised concerns about safety, congestion and the potential loss of mature trees.

William Emmett, the chair of the Newquay Conservation Area group, said: “This wall is not an ordinary boundary feature, it dates back before the former St Michael’s Chapel of Ease - and the first Anglican chapel built in 1858 at Newquay that was within the Parish of St Columb Minor.

“The church path and wall were originally constructed to guide parishioners walking from Mount Wise to the chapel, providing a clear and well-used route to worship. In later years, gas lamps were installed along the pathway to help light the way at night.

“When the congregation grew and a new St Michael’s Church was built on St Michael’s Road in 1911, the original chapel was acquired by the WI and later taken over by Woolworths. It was sadly demolished in 1937, now the site of Peacocks and until recently Poundland.

“Today, the Church Path wall remains the only surviving feature from that original chapel site. It serves as a visible link to the town’s early religious and community life and contributes greatly to the historic character and sense of place in this part of Newquay.

“The church path is also a designated Public Right of Way (PROW), still used regularly by local residents and visitors. Any demolition or alteration to the wall would affect not only an important heritage asset but also the setting, safety, and integrity of this well-established public footpath. Creating a vehicle access at this location would greatly change the appearance and feel of the path, there is also concern to the residences of Ennors Road in terms of it being a narrow road, parking and increase traffic.

“The Newquay Conservation Area along with the Newquay Old Cornwall Society will object on heritage grounds.”

Resident Jane Toms, objecting to the plans, added: “I understand the proposal for an updated version of the property and to make more efficient use of the plot, but I categorically oppose the road being built over the path at the cul-de-sac end of Ennors road and think it is an absolutely absurd idea. “Ennors Road is a beautiful, traditional Newquay street full of character. Most of the residents in the street bought here because of the cul-de-sac feature, knowing they would be starting families.

“Generations of children have played safely on Ennors. We as residents take great pride in our road and to see its beautiful dynamic change into something it's not meant to would be a tragedy. It was built as a cul-de-sac for a reason, and it should remain as one.”

Ted Simpson said: “I am a resident on Ennors Road. It is a historic dead-end road, with no access through. It is one of the most family friendly and pleasant roads that still exists in the centre of this town, with resident children of the road that still regularly play on the street. This is only possible to its position as a cul-de-sac.

“A rarity in an area of town that is saturated by vehicles, particularly in the summer months.

“The proposed vehicular access change in this application, which would destroy the end of Ennors Road and a public right of way in the name of accessing ten parking spaces from the rear of the proposed property development, would fundamentally alter the character, safety, and usability of this road, often described as the most sought after road in Newquay.”

TLS Solicitors said the redevelopment would modernise its headquarters to better serve clients and support future growth.

Newquay Town Council’s planning and licensing committee is due to discuss the plans at its meeting on Wednesday, October 15 at 6pm.